Show ContentsGlavin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Glavin surname name is derived from the Gaelic Laimhin, a reduced form of Flaithimhin. The Gaelic word "flaith," means "prince or ruler," but this name has sometimes been mis-translated as "hand."

Early Origins of the Glavin family

The surname Glavin was first found in counties Mayo and Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht.

Early History of the Glavin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Glavin research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1744, 1802, 1864 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Glavin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Glavin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lavin, Lavan, Glavin, O'Lavin, Glavan, MacGlavin, Hand, MacGlavy and many more.

Early Notables of the Glavin family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Glavin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Glavin migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Glavin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Joan Glavin, aged 18, who landed in America in 1635 1
  • Bartholomew Glavin, who settled in Maryland sometime between 1661 and 1678
  • John Glavin, who settled in Maryland in 1682
Glavin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Edward Glavin, age 7, who settled in Boston in 1850
  • Abby Glavin, who settled in Chicago in 1865
  • Eugene Glavin, who arrived in St Clair County, Illinois in 1871 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Glavin (post 1700) +

  • Paul Glavin, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Washington, 1996 2
  • Michael Glavin, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1996 2
  • James H. Glavin Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 32nd District, 1924; Candidate for Justice of New York Supreme Court 4th District, 1943 2
  • Gerard P. Glavin (1956-2023), Irish Gaelic footballer and hurler who played with Midleton, Ballincollig and was a member of the Cork senior football team
  • Anthony Glavin (1945-2006), Irish poet and Professor of Music at the Royal Irish Academy
  • Terry Glavin (b. 1955), Canadian author and journalist, of Irish parentage

Victoria steamboat disaster
  • Mary Ann Glavin, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881
  • May Glavin, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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